3 Things That Will Keep Guests Coming Back to Your Church (Based on Actual Guest Surveys)

Last updated on: June 4, 2015 at 10:15 am by Josh Daffern

3 Things That Will Keep Guests Coming Back to Your Church (Based on Actual Guest Surveys) 2015-06-04T10:15:11-06:00 Josh Daffern

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rather than tell you how things should be, today I’ll simply pass along how things are. Recently I contacted several guests that have gotten plugged into our church over the past few months. One of the questions I asked them was “what made you come back to Mt Vernon?” Based on their responses, I’ve pulled out three things that a church can work on to make help keep and plug in guests that come to your church.

1. Children’s Ministry – Parents can put up with almost anything. Kids are the key. If you can create an irresistible environment that draws and keeps kids (birth through teens), they’ll drag their parents to church. Here’s how one guest put it,

My children were the reason we started visiting. My oldest had been coming on Wednesday night and we decided to try Sunday mornings. My youngest was hooked after that. He loves it and I never have to talk him into going. He is always willing.

2. Style of Preaching – The sermon is the pinnacle of the worship experience for a reason. You can put up with mediocre worship if you have a strong communicator. It’s very hard for worship to compensate for a mediocre communicator. I say “style” of preaching because all sermons should be based out of the Bible. That’s not the problem. It’s the way the preacher engages, the way he brings Scripture to life, and the application that helps people apply biblical truth to their every day lives. Here’s how guests put it,

We have felt welcomed and I enjoy your sermons. It feels more like you are just talking to us rather than preaching at us.
One of the main reasons what I decided to keep on coming back and invite more of my college friends to Mt. Vernon is the teaching of the word. The Bible is being taught in a very powerful but relatable way that there is no way you can deny God’s presence.

3. Friendly/Family Atmosphere – People want to go not only where it feels like home, but where it feels like their home. They want to go where they feel like they belong. That’s up to the friendliness of the existing members, their willingness to share their seats and get to know guests. Here’s how the guests put it:

The positive attitudes were everywhere. I knew I wanted to be a part of it. That was so special to feel that you had not even been at the church 5 mins and someone knew your name.
We came back because it felt like a family, like we have always been there.

(*One of the main responses was something to the effect of “God wanted me there” or “I felt God there.” As important as that is, it’s not something we can directly affect on our end. But we can do the other three, and by doing them faithfully I believe we create an environment where people sense God’s presence.)

Previous Post

June 3, 2015

My Sermon to our Daughter Church in the Haitian Slums

Next Post

June 5, 2015 Don't Feel Sorry for the Poor

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Family Matters Ministry in the Trenches Morning Brew MTVpastor New Wineskins Top Menu Truth from Life Uncategorized Watch Sermons

Select a Month June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Jesus use to heal blind man?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Water Oil Cloth Mud and saliva